Europe on alert as first major heatwave of 2025 pushes temperatures to 42C

Authorities in Spain, Portugal, Greece and France issue extreme heat, wildfire and health warnings

Gondoliers sail on the Grand Canal in the Venice Lagoon on June 25, 2025. Picture: MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images

Authorities across Europe are on alert as the first heatwave of the summer pushes temperatures up to 42C, as the fastest-warming continent continues to suffer the effects of the climate emergency.

Spain’s state meteorological office, Aemet, issued a special heat warning on Friday, saying temperatures could reach 42C in some southern areas of the country over the coming days.